228 DR. A. GiJNTHER ON FISHES FROM ST. HELENA. [Mar. 26, 



length of the snout, and is about one-fifth of that of the head. Mouth 

 very wide, the maxillary extending somewhat beyond the vertical 

 from the centre of the eye. The vomerine teeth form an angular 

 band ; the band of the palatines is narrow, of moderate length ; 

 however, it varies in width and length, even on the two sides of one 

 and the same specimen. Tongue free in front; pharynx colourless. 

 The interorbital space is concave, scaleless. Beside the nasal spines, 

 there is one in front of, and two above, the orbit, three spines being 

 on each side of the nape. All the spines, also those on the side of 

 tlie head, are but slightly prominent. 



The dorsal spines are of moderate strength, the fourth, fifth, and 

 sixth being the longest and about one-third of the length of the head. 

 The second anal spine is much stronger than those of the dorsal fin. 

 Anal fin subtruncate, half as long as the head. Pectoral nearly as 

 long as the head, without snout, extending to the anal spines ; none 

 of the rays are branched. 



ScoRP-ENA MELLissii. (Plate XIX.) 

 D. -. A.-. P. 124-8. L. lat. ca (iO. 



10 5 



The height of the body is contained thrice and one-third in the 

 total length (without cauclal), the length of the head twice and a half. 

 Eye of moderate size, its diameter being contained once and two- 

 thirds in the length of the snout, and tioice and one-half in that of 

 the postorbital portion of the head. Basal portion of the operculum 

 scaly ; head without tentacles, except at the nostrils ; interorbital 

 space concave, with indistinct longitudinal ridges ; vertex with a 

 quadrangular groove, which is broader than long. The maxillary 

 extends nearly to the vertical from the hind margin of the orbit. 

 Palatine teeth in a short band, which is shorter than the vomer is 

 broad. Scales smooth, irregularly arranged, those of the lateral line 

 being much the largest. Dorsal spines long, slender ; the fourth, 

 fifth, and sixth are the longest, two-fifths as long as the head ; anal 

 spines stronger but shorter than the spines just mentioned. Pectoral 

 fin extending to below the fourth ray of ihe dorsal, ventral to the 

 third anal spine. 



Body nearly uniform brownish grey ; head with numerous brown 

 dots ; each dorsal, caudal, and pectoral ray accompanied by a series of 

 small subquadrangular brown spots. Axil of the pectoral colourless. 



One specimen, 1 1 inches long. 



NOVACULA SANCT^ HELENA. 



D. ^. A. l^. L. lat. 28. 



Closely allied to N. cuUrata. The height of the body is one- 

 third of the total length (without caudal), the length of the head 

 two-sevenths. A few rudimentary scales below the orbit ; only the 

 first dorsal spine is flexible. Head and body apparently without 

 spots or streaks. 



Two examples (0), 1 1 inches long. 



